Pak shells 22 BSF posts, targets Army, 2 civilians killed

Jammu: In a major ceasefire violation along the International Border in Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan on Friday night targeted 22 posts of the Border Security Force (BSF) and several villages in the Arnia and RS Pura sectors of Jammu district.

In what is being dubbed as the most intense firing in recent times, at least two civilians were killed and three others were injured in last night's shelling. All five belonged to the same family and the deceased were identified as Muhammad Akram and his 13-year-old son Aslam. They were killed when their house in Jodafarm village of RS Pura sector was hit by Pakistani shelling.

A BSF jawan also sustained injuries in the firing by Pakistani troops who have been using heavy weapons.

BSF sources said intermittent firing has been on since last night and that they have been retaliating. Several houses have been damaged in the shelling, officials said.

"Firing by Pakistani troops is still on. The BSF (Border Security Force) has started retaliating," an officer said.

All the injured have been admitted to the Jammu Medical College.

Priya Choudhary, a local resident, was quoted as saying by ANI, "Firing is going on continuously. We are from another village but we are staying here and the situation there is same. Our lives are in danger. None of our family members are safe. We want the government to provide us with some safe place."

Another local resident added, "So much firing is going on that we are not able to go out. They (officials) just come in evening, promise everything but give nothing. It's 6:00 am now but I cannot even go to my house to drink water."

Indian Army officials said Pakistani troops also violated ceasefire along the Line of Control in Hamirpur sector of Poonch district.

Amid continuing ceasefire violations by Pakistan, over 2,000 villagers from three villages close to the International Border in RS Pura sector have migrated to safer places.

The J&K government has accommodated the villagers in two government high school buildings and an Industrial Training Institute building.

Meanwhile, Pakistani defence sources today claimed that a woman and a 60-year-old man were killed in firing by Indian troops near Sialkot.